Doctors Note Logo

Back

Published on: 5/6/2025

What Are Common Causes of a Lump in the Lower Abdomen for Females?

A lump in the lower abdomen for females is commonly due to ovarian cysts, developmental issues like hematocolpos from an imperforate hymen, or other benign cysts, though rare causes like pancreatic lymphangioma can occur.

answer background

Explanation

When a female has a lump in the lower abdomen, several common conditions could be responsible. One frequent cause is an ovarian cyst, which is a fluid-filled sac that can grow on or inside the ovary. These cysts are usually benign and might not cause pain unless they become very large or twist. In adolescents, a lump might sometimes result from developmental issues, such as an imperforate hymen that prevents menstrual blood from flowing out. This buildup, called hematocolpos, can cause swelling in the lower abdomen. Beyond these, additional benign cysts in other abdominal tissues can form and be felt as lumps. Although less common, benign tumors like pancreatic lymphangioma, which is a growth of lymphatic vessels, may also present as an abdominal mass. Because the causes of abdominal lumps vary, and they can sometimes be signs of conditions that need treatment, it is important for anyone who discovers a new lump in this area to have it evaluated by a healthcare provider. They may use imaging tests such as ultrasound, CT scans, or MRI to determine the source and decide on the best management plan.

(References)

  • Makris GM, Macchiella D, Vaidakis D, Chrelias C, Battista MJ, Siristatidis C. Abdominal tumor in a 14-year-old adolescent: imperforate hymen, resulting in hematocolpos-a case report and review of the literature. Case Rep Obstet Gynecol. 2015;2015:429740. doi: 10.1155/2015/429740. Epub 2015 Feb 8. PMID: 25737786; PMCID: PMC4337051.

  • Updated 2022 Apr 21]. Available from: [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK539572/
  • Goel A, Garg PK. Abdominal Cyst in a 39-year-old Woman. Oman Med J. 2019 Mar;34(2):172-173. doi: 10.5001/omj.2019.32. PMID: 30918614; PMCID: PMC6425051.

  • Ray R, Baruah TD, Mahobia HS, Borkar A. Pancreatic Lymphangioma: An Unusual Cause of Abdominal Lump. Cureus. 2021 Nov 10;13(11):e19452. doi: 10.7759/cureus.19452. PMID: 34926026; PMCID: PMC8654082.

Tell your friends about us.

We would love to help them too.

smily Shiba-inu looking

For First Time Users

What is Ubie’s Doctor’s Note?

We provide a database of explanations from real doctors on a range of medical topics. Get started by exploring our library of questions and topics you want to learn more about.

Learn more about symptoms

Lump in abdomen

Not sure about the cause of your current symptoms?

AI Symptom Check

Try our AI-based symptom checker

With an easy 3-min questionnaire, you can get a free AI-powered report on possible causes


Tips to try:

  • Provide specific, detailed info about all symptoms you have.
  • Give accurate information about yourself including current conditions.
  • Answer all follow-up questions

Purpose and positioning of servicesUbie Doctor’s Note is a service for informational purposes. The provision of information by physicians, medical professionals, etc. is not a medical treatment. If medical treatment is required, please consult your doctor or medical institution. We strive to provide reliable and accurate information, but we do not guarantee the completeness of the content. If you find any errors in the information, please contact us.